TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Rumors Abound, but Apple Mum on Board Meeting: “I wouldn’t expect we’d have anything to say about it,” an Apple spokeswoman said of the meeting at an Apple facility in Austin, Tex. That left analysts and others to speculate whether the directors might be putting pressure on top Apple Computer Inc. management to perform or step aside. Outside board members did not return calls seeking comment. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company’s share of the global personal computer market has been steadily eroding from well more than 10% a few years ago to just 7.4% in the first quarter of 1995, according to the market research firm Dataquest. In recent weeks, much of the criticism has been directed at Apple CEO Michael Spindler, with some observers calling for his ouster. Chronic underestimating of demand and component shortages over the past several quarters have not helped.